A US woman who shot and killed her husband and two adult children before taking her own life is thought to have committed the shocking crime as a result of being ostracised from the religion she was raised in.

Every time I tell a mate I’m doing a story on cryptocurrency, they invariably ask me the same two questions: should they invest their own hard-earned money, and which cryptocurrency will get them a Lamborghini/yacht/island quickest?

MPs called 'cowards' in abortion debate

Victorian balance of power MP Geoff Shaw has called his fellow MPs "moral cowards" for their refusal to debate abortion laws.

The former Liberal MP who took the balance of power in Victoria's lower house when he turned independent last year, is planning a private member's bill to introduce radical changes to state abortion laws, including outlawing gender-selection and late-term abortions.

Both Premier Denis Napthine and Labor leader Daniel Andrews have previously said they would not support any debate on or changes to the state's abortion laws.

Mr Shaw accused Dr Napthine of "closing down debate" on the issue and said government MPs were moral cowards.

"I think they should be taking the lead on the debate and not being moral cowards," Mr Shaw told reporters.

"I think some of the MPs are a bit gutless and more concerned about their seats instead of doing what's right."

Mr Shaw has just returned from a trip to the US where he said he studied US abortion laws.